:o) AI notes & such

Watching American Idol with a five year old is even more entertaining than just watching the show itself.

We're getting all settled in on the futon downstairs just as Ryan Seacrest is starting his opening schpiel. You know his famous phrase, right? Well, completely in sync with Ryan, my daughter lowers her voice and announces "THIS... is American Idol." Oh my goodness, I about died laughing. If only the video camera had been on for that.

So we get over that fit of giggles and start watching. They get to the part where they show some of the mentors for the coming weeks. Chloe all but shrieks with excitement. "MOM!!!!!!!!" Her eyes were HUGE with the thrill of the announcement. "Dolly Parton is going to be on American Idol!! Do you think she'll sing the Butterfly song? I want her to sing the Butterfly song. The Butterfly song is the most beautifullest song in the whole wide world."

Let me make a quick side note here - my daughter adores Dolly Parton. Have you heard that song? Love is Like a Butterfly, I think it's called. It really is a very cute song. Until you have listened to it on repeat four nights in a row. Then, it begins to lose its charm. Nonetheless as I write this, I am listening to the Butterfly song for the fifth time tonight so far.

So we watch some more. I ask her who her favorites are. She replies "The tattoo girl and the brown boy." "Actually honey, we call them 'black'." "But Mom, his skin is brown, not black." Point taken. "Okay, well technically we should call him an African American." "But Mom, he's not from Africa. This is American Idol." :::sigh::: I digress.

"I really like the brown boy. Does the brown boy have to go with the brown girl since they are both brown?" (I pause the show for the third or fourth time... in the first ten minutes.) What follows is a quick explanation of different races, the fact that anyone can be friends with anyone regardless of what they look like, etc. See? American Idol IS educational!

Lots of dancing around, imitating Kelly Pickler happened next. My kid better not ever sway her hips that much in public or I'll be locking her in the basement indefinitely.

:::Gasp::: Horror of horrors. Tattoo girl (Carly) is in the bottom three. I ask who else she'd like to see there. "I don't really care, but I don't like the scary girl. She should be out." Holy crap! My kid called it! I don't agree with her, but apparently America does. I ought to ask her opinions more often.

:o) Having kids flippin' rocks.